The Russian Defense Ministry has announced the appointment of Army General Valery Gerasimov as the new Commander of the Joint Grouping of Troops (Forces) in Ukraine. General Sergei Surovikin, who has been in charge of the forces in Ukraine for the past three months, will become Gerasimov’s deputy.
The move comes as Russian forces are attempting to capture the town of Soledar, which would mark Moscow’s first gain in the Donbas region for months. Should the town be captured, it would allow Russian forces, particularly the Wagner mercenary group, to turn their focus on nearby Bakhmut.
The Wagner mercenary group is run by oligarch Yevgeny Prigozhin, who has been critical of the Russian Defense Ministry. The capture of Soledar would represent a symbolic PR win for Prigozhin, and could offer President Vladimir Putin some welcome news after a string of defeats on the battlefield since last summer.
The Russian Defense Ministry has not provided any further details on the appointment of Gerasimov, or the potential capture of Soledar. However, the move is likely to be closely watched by both the Ukrainian government and international observers.
Key takeaways:
- Army General Valery Gerasimov has been appointed as the new Commander of the Joint Grouping of Troops (Forces) in Ukraine.
- Russian forces are attempting to capture the town of Soledar, which would mark Moscow’s first gain in the Donbas region for months.
- The appointment of Gerasimov is likely to be closely watched by both the Ukrainian government and international observers.
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